BOSTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $92,150 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to a local fire department in the state of New Hampshire. Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide over $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.

"In addition to the release of this critical funding support for fire departments throughout the nation," said United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade, "the USFA announced the new Smoking and Homes Fire Safety campaign. This new campaign is designed to educate smokers and those who live with smokers on how they can prevent fires caused by smoking materials in their homes and to remind individuals that do smoke to Put It Out. All the Way. Every Time."

This week's round of national fire grants includes grants to the following fire department and emergency medical services organization in New Hampshire:

Fire Department

Program

Grant Amount

City

Jaffrey Fire Department

Vehicle Acquisition

$92,150

Jaffrey

AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles. AFG also supports regional projects in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from activities implemented with grant funds.

Since FY 2001, and including FY 2007, over $3.3 billion in AFG funding has been distributed to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.